Hi,
I am having problems with the ring finger on my left hand.

The symptoms started ~3 months ago when the tip of the finger became numb. The numbness has gone away now but when I try to make a fist that finger "sticks" in the curled position and is quite painful. When I straighten the finger there is a decided 'pop' (not audible but pronounced and easily felt). If I put pressure on the palm side of the knuckle (hand knuckle not finger knuckle) associated with that finger it is quite painful.

Does this sound like arthritis? If not arthritis, what do you think might me going on?

Thanks!

Sounds like trigger finger. Yes, it can be very painful. I know exactly what you are coping with. I currently have a problem with both thumbs, ring fingers, and middle fingers. Will see hand specialist next week. It can be associated with arthritis and might not be.

I find running very warm water over hands helps relieve the locking/pain. Tried icing the thumb and it was too painful to move afterward.

It most likely will not get better without intervention. There are 2 choices from what I read, cortisone injections or surgery.

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with "trigger" finger by an orthopedic hand specialist who gave me a cortizone injection into the finger. It was very painful, but only lasted a matter of seconds. He also gave me a hand brace to wear at night which kept that finger out straight, then I'd remove the brace in the mornings. I started seeing relief within a week. Mine started with my ring finger, also, and about 2 months later it showed up in another finger on the other hand. That time the cortizone injection gave me no relief, so after several weeks we tried another injection which worked that time.

A year later I got another "trigger" finger, but the pain was never as bad as the first two times so I never went to the doctor. It was a nuisance to deal with, though, because it would curl up real tight, and I'd force it open (it would make a clicking sound). Like I said, it was painful, but just not as bad. I had saved my original brace, so I used that of nights, and I think that is what kept me from having to go get an injection. This time the finger cleared up on on its own. I have never had any more trouble with any of my fingers since then. That was 10 years ago. Don't know if this has been helpful or not, but if I should ever get another one, I would not hesitate to go for another injection.

I had trigger finger release surgery on my left ring finger. Prior to the surgery my finger would get stuck also and I had alot of pain. The surgery was successful and now all I have is some scar tissue in my hand. I have an upcoming trigger release for my right hand, ring finger coming up plus I develop a ganglion cyst there which will also be removed.

The more your finger gets stuck the worse the problem gets. If your finger is getting stuck it's way too late for an injection to decrease the swelling and it fix itself. I would suggest going to see a hand surgeon. If you get too much damage in your tendon then they have to not only cut the tendon sheath but cut the tendon also and you risk finger weakness.

Thanks for your replies!
I'm making a doctor's appointment asap.